Okuma Classic Casting Reels Review

Great value for money, 2008-05-26
Reviewer: surfaMIKE

Fish in the surf with this reel. Great casting. nice. just wish it had an aluminium spool, but folks say that the graphite spool wont explode. please tell me what you guys think of the spool? will it break? please guys...

Okuma Classic 300L, 2005-04-04
Reviewer: RB

Got a chance to try out this reel on a couple of occassions. Originally I purchased 2 of these reels for my sons. I liked the levelwind feature so they didn't have to worry about the line, just reeling the fish in and the reels were very inexpensive. I spooled the reel with 25lb. Stren and started fishing.
The reel casts fairly well but could use a ball bearing or 2 to allow it to cast better. It freespools well enough for a nice size sardine to take line but I think an amchovy would have a harder time.
The drags are the weak link in these reels I believe. The first fish that I hooked on the reel was a 15-18lb. yellowtail. The fish made a few runs and the drags became jerky. Not as smooth as would have liked. My son then hooked into 6 8-12lb. bonito with the same results, jerky drags.
I'm looking into changing the drag washers with something smoother and possibly trying to add a ball bearing of 2 to help out with freespooling.
Overall, I think the reel is a good value for the money for kids or someone who only fishes occasional 1/2 or 3/4 day fishing.